Plant details

Chinese rhubarb is a dramatic plant for a border. The large leaves are vivid crimson-purple while young, and grow to 75cm (30in) across. In mid-summer, enormous flower-spikes, like those of domestic rhubarb in flower, push up through the middle of the clumps and produce sprays of rich cerise-pink flowers. It is best to remove the entire flower stalk when the blooms begin to fade, to maintain the vigour of the plants. This makes a good foliage plant for a border, setting off summer flowers well. The Royal Horticultural Society have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.